The Cincinnati Bengals have made it clear that they are going to do everything in their power to re-sign All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to a long-term contract.
Despite what the organization may want, their tight cap situation may force them to try and move on from the edge rusher in a potential trade with other edge rusher-needy teams around the league.
One of those teams that need an edge rusher are the Washington Commanders.
Washington has struggled mightily to get after the passer over the last few years and could look to trade for Hendrickson as the draft gets closer. And that's something that Pro Football Focus' Marcus Cameron is expecting to have happen relatively soon.
"Commanders' general manager Adam Peters has been no stranger to acquiring high-end talent via trades this offseason, and one notable spot he may target next is the pass rush," Cameron writes while identifying Hendrickson as a trade target who would fill a major need for the Commanders. "Washington's defense struggled to generate pressure off the edge, posting just a 19.4% pass-rush win rate (24th in the NFL) at the position while Dorance Armstrong finished as the only edge rusher to post a PFF pass-rush grade above 66.0."
If the Commanders are looking to finally get past the Philadelphia Eagles where it actually matters, they will need to find a way to pierce their elite offensive line.
Hendrickson has had success in the past against Philadelphia.
The rumored contract numbers here center on $30 million per year. Trey is 30; does a three-year deal in the $100 million range get this done?
Cincinnati - in another rumor - might settle for taking a second-round pick. Can Washington win an argument there?
It seems like this is a match made it heaven for both the edge rusher and team in need of one of those very things.
